WIndows 7 B&R or...?

[msalton1]

I've been an Acronis ATIH user since the early 2000's. I've seen a lot of versions come and go. When they are on their game, it serves my purposes well. I've finally come to a point, however, where their inconsistency from year to year and inexplicably goofy "features" have prompted me to consider a different solution.

My backup method is simple. I backup entire partitions and validate them upon creation. My System and Data partitions get 3 rotating backups. They are always full backups that overwrite the previous. One thing I do like about Acronis ATIH is the saved tasks, where I can just click on the task and the previously configured backup task begins.

That said, I've been looking at Paragon's B&R, and it looks pretty good. And I've noted that SIW2 has written a utility that makes WinPE media creation simple. I've not really given Windows backup a chance. In spite of the fact that my needs are simple, I'm not looking for limited freeware or feature barren apps.

So I guess I'm looking for recommendations from Seven Forum users and why they use it (advantages?). And is Windows B&R a worthy contender (and reliable!)?

I've come to rely on this forum for concise, friendly and knowledgeable advice. That's big. Thanks in advance.

Salt

 

[marsmimar]

I use Macrium Reflect free and the native Windows 7 imaging tool. They've both worked flawlessly for me and they suit my needs. Having said that, I realize others may have different requirements. But here's a couple of tutorials for Macrium that may give you some additional info as to its suitability for you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/218920-macrium-reflect-create-bootable-rescue-usb-drive.html

And tutorials for using the native Widows 7 imaging tool.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

 

[kado897]

Same with me except I use the paid version of Macrium. There is really no need for the paid version unless you want File and Folder backups, incrementals or differentials.

 

[msalton1]

Sorry for missing this. I thought I was setup for email notification. I'll have to double check. ATM, I have ATIH 2014 premium due to pricing. It does work, but there are some poor design decisions that seem to follow the program over the years and Acronis refusal to acknowledge them as flaws. They don't submit them as bugs, rather they submit them as a "feature request".

I perform my backups manually at my whim (atm) and always perform full backups, overwriting the previous. The only feature I do like is the ability to start the backup from a task, without having to re-specify preferences.

I'll be checking into Macrium Reflect. Thank you for the recommendations.